Computing device camera view controller and shutter

ABSTRACT

A camera control device may include a housing to store the camera and various control modules. The housing may also have a movable camera shutter operating on a shutter track that is close to the camera inside the camera housing. The shutter may include an open portion and a closed portion and a knob which extends beyond a surface area of the camera housing to control movement of the shutter along the shutter track. The movement of the shutter may also be automated and may be subject to sensors triggering sensed conditions.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/561,753, filed Dec. 5, 2014, entitled COMPUTING DEVICE CAMERA VIEWCONTROLLER AND SHUTTER.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE APPLICATION

This application relates to a computing device camera and morespecifically to a camera and microphone controller that operates toenable and disable the camera control functions responsive to predefinedevents.

BACKGROUND OF THE APPLICATION

Conventionally, when a user accesses their computing device, a camera,microphone or a combination of both could essentially be activated atany time as part of that device. Some applications, such as chatapplications or video conferencing applications will invoke the cameraby enabling power to the camera and/or the microphone.

The result of the camera being enabled may be a live video or stillimage feed that is immediately enacted and recorded, and which may bestreamed to a remote source. There are instances when a user of thecomputing device may desire to have the camera/microphone immediatelydisabled or physically blocked to protect ones privacy from both videoand audio being recorded. Manual efforts to block the camera or turn offvideo/audio controls may be time consuming and cumbersome.

SUMMARY OF THE APPLICATION

One example embodiment may provide an apparatus that includes a camerahousing, a camera disposed inside the camera housing, a shutter trackdisposed adjacent the camera inside the camera housing, and a movableshutter on the camera track, and the movable shutter includes an openportion and a closed portion and a knob which extends beyond a surfacearea of the camera housing to control movement of the movable shutteralong the shutter track.

Another example embodiment may include an apparatus that includes acamera housing, a camera disposed inside the camera housing, a movableshutter disposed in front of the camera, a sensor configured to sense acondition, and a switch coupled to a power supply and configured toenact movement commands of the movable shutter when a sensed conditionis detected via the sensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a computer camera controller andblocking configuration in an open non-blocking shutter positionaccording to an example embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a computer camera controller andblocking configuration in an open non-blocking shutter position with thecover removed according to an example embodiment of the presentapplication.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a computer camera controller andblocking configuration in an open non-blocking shutter positionaccording to an example embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of a computer camera controller andblocking configuration in a partially open and partially blockingshutter position according to an example embodiment of the presentapplication.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of a computer camera controller andblocking configuration in a partially open and partially blockingshutter position with the cover removed according to an exampleembodiment of the present application.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of a computer camera controller andblocking configuration in a partially open and partially blockingshutter position according to an example embodiment of the presentapplication.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of a computer camera controller andblocking configuration in a blocked shutter position according to anexample embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of a computer camera controller andblocking configuration in a blocked shutter position with the coverremoved according to an example embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of a computer camera controller andblocking configuration in a blocked shutter position according to anexample embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 10 illustrates an automated camera control device moduleconfiguration according to example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION

It will be readily understood that the components of the presentapplication, as generally described and illustrated in the figuresherein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of differentconfigurations. Thus, the following detailed description of theembodiments of a method, apparatus, and system, as represented in theattached figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the applicationas claimed, but is merely representative of selected embodiments of theapplication.

The features, structures, or characteristics of the applicationdescribed throughout this specification may be combined in any suitablemanner in one or more embodiments. For example, the usage of the phrases“example embodiments”, “some embodiments”, or other similar language,throughout this specification refers to the fact that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the presentapplication. Thus, appearances of the phrases “example embodiments”, “insome embodiments”, “in other embodiments”, or other similar language,throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the samegroup of embodiments, and the described features, structures, orcharacteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a computer camera controller andblocking configuration in an open non-blocking shutter positionaccording to an example embodiment of the present application. Referringto FIG. 1, the camera configuration 100 includes a stand 116 which maysupport the camera housing 114. A stand-alone camera may be an accessoryor peripheral device, however, the camera may also be integrated intothe camera portion of a computing device (e.g., laptop, tablet,smartphone, personal computer, etc.). For example, the camera may be setalong a top portion of the computing device as an add-on after-marketdevice or as an integrated internal configuration. The camera lens 102is shown in the middle of the shutter 110 illustrated in an openposition. A protective film or glass layer 112 may be placed over thecamera and shutter assembly to protect the camera.

According to example embodiments, the shutter 110 may be activated andde-activated automatically and/or via manually via user interaction witha shutter movement control knob (see FIG. 3). The knob and shuttermovement may be manually activated/de-activated by a user. Sliding theshutter 110 from side-to-side using the switch/arm or knob manually mayopen or close the shutter to permit/block the camera to capture videoand/or images.

One example configuration of FIG. 2 may include a camera housing 114, acamera 102 disposed inside the camera housing, a shutter track 120disposed adjacent the camera 102 inside the camera housing, and amovable shutter 110 movable on the camera track 120. The shutterincludes an open portion, which the camera may obtain access to record,and a closed portion which blocks the camera's view, and a knob (seeFIG. 3) which extends beyond a surface area of the camera housing tocontrol movement of the shutter 110 along the shutter track 120. Thecamera housing may also have a protective shield 112 disposed over thecamera 102 and the shutter 110 extending along a majority of a length ofthe camera housing 114.

The protective shield may be glass or plastic and may be a mesh net orother material. The knob is accessible via an open slot in a top portionof the camera housing. A power source may be included inside the housingalong with a switch controller, memory and a power supply. Sensors maybe part of the housing or may be separate and wired to the switch forsensory control (e.g., sound, voice recognition commands, light, audio,etc.). The power supply is configured to power the camera, the switchand even the shutter in an automated embodiment of FIG. 10. Theauxiliary sensor is in communication with the switch, and a sensedcondition (e.g., audio, light, etc.) triggers the switch to power on thecamera. An auxiliary sensor (not shown) may be in communication with theswitch and a second sensed condition, such as the opposite of the firstsensed condition or a different sensed condition triggers the switch topower off the camera.

A microphone or pair of microphones 121 are disposed inside the camerahousing and are communicatively connected to the switch and powerssource. An auxiliary sensor in communication with the switch may triggerthe switch when the condition is sensed, and a first sensed conditiontriggers the switch to power off the microphone while a second sensedcondition triggers the switch to power on the microphone.

The microphone may be de-activated and then activated by sliding theshutter closed which may trigger an optical sensor so the shutter willpass through a sensor field of view. This then signals the processor1080 to disable the microphone input. The microphone and video functionscan also be disabled by higher level applications (i.e. SKYPE) using a“mute” and “unmute” feature, provided the shutter is not closed.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a computer camera controller andblocking configuration in an open non-blocking shutter position with thecover removed according to an example embodiment of the presentapplication. Referring to FIG. 2, the configuration 200 illustrates theglass 112 removed exposing the shutter track 120.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a computer camera controller and camerablocking configuration in an open non-blocking shutter positionaccording to an example embodiment of the present application. Referringto FIG. 3, the configuration 300 illustrates the top portion of thehousing with the manual shutter control knob 134 in an open position, InFIG. 6, the shutter 136 is in a partial blocking position, and in FIG. 9the shutter 138 is in a fully closed position. The power line 132 feedsthrough the back of the housing to the power supply distribution unitinside the housing. The back of the housing 130 is wider to allow thecomponents to fit inside the housing and to allow the power supply tovent and release heat from the power supply.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of a computer camera controller andblocking configuration in a partially open and partially blockingshutter position according to an example embodiment of the presentapplication. Referring to FIG. 4, the configuration 400 includes anexample where the shutter 110 is partially closed and is partiallyobstructing the view of the camera lens 102. The solid portion of theshutter 140 is in view in this configuration.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of a computer camera controller andblocking configuration in a partially open and partially blockingshutter position with the cover removed according to an exampleembodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 5, theconfiguration 500 includes the same partial overlapping position of theshutter 110 except the glass cover is not present to provide a moredetailed view of the shutter track 120 and the shutter 110 in a partialblocking position.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view 600 of a computer camera controller andblocking configuration in a partially open and partially blockingshutter position according to an example embodiment of the presentapplication. Referring to FIG. 6, the top view is substantially the sameas FIG. 3, however, the shutter control knob 136 is in a partiallyclosed/partially open position.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of a computer camera controller andblocking configuration in a blocked shutter position according to anexample embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 7, theconfiguration 700 includes the shutter being in a fully closed position170 thus blocking the camera's view.

FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of a computer camera controller andblocking configuration in a blocked shutter position with the coverremoved according to an example embodiment of the present application.Referring to FIG. 8, the configuration 800 includes the camera being ina fully closed position without the glass cover 112.

FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of a computer camera controller andblocking configuration in a blocked shutter position according to anexample embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 6, thetop view is substantially the same as FIG. 3, however, the shuttercontrol knob 138 is in a closed position.

FIG. 10 illustrates a camera device configuration 1000 according toanother example embodiment. Referring to FIG. 10, the camera 1010 is incommunication with a motor 1060, switch 1020, sensors 1070, a powersupply 1040, a microphone 1030, a memory 1050 and a processor 1080.

According to example embodiments, the microphone 121 could be turned offby a verbal command received (e.g., On, Off, Record, Stop, Save, etc.)via an audio sensor 1070 and an added speech recognition program storedin memory 1050 and processed by processor 1080. This configuration alsopermits the shutter to be turned on manually or automatically by themotor control 1060 attached to the shutter which is enabled by theswitch 1020 providing power to the motor 1060 when the proper signal isreceived by the sensors 1070. The motor may be affixed to the shuttervia an actuation arm that moves back and forth with the movement of themotor.

A video processing application could be enabled by the processor 1080 tosend the camera or microphone an “Off” command upon receipt of aspecific image, and a separate camera would be used to pick up the “on”image and trigger a USB command to the standalone camera to turn thevideo back to the “on” status. The camera would include certainspecifications including but not limited to a resolution: 1080p30, anoutput format: H.264, MJPEG, a digital zoom: 4×, a field of view: 120°,microphone: dual microphone with beam forming, an interface: USB 2.0(UAC/UVC), device compatibility: Enzo, WINDOWS 7, WINDOWS 8, Mac OS X.The external interfaces may include a USB cable that is used to connectthe webcam to a PC or related device. There is also a single white LEDindicator that is used to indicate that the camera is actively capturingvideo and/or that the microphone is capturing audio and/or that themicrophone and/or camera have been disabled. The camera may be poweredvia its USB connection or another power supply source. In anotherexample, the camera unit will have a flexible mounting system thatincludes a removable mounting bracket. The mounting bracket mayfacilitate mounting above or below a display and also includes threadsfor a tripod mount.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the system, method, and device ofthe present application has been illustrated in the accompanied drawingsand described in the foregoing detailed description, it will beunderstood that the application is not limited to the embodimentsdisclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, andsubstitutions without departing from the spirit or scope of theapplication as set forth and defined by the following claims. Forexample, the capabilities of the system of FIG. 10 can be performed byone or more of the modules or components described herein or in adistributed architecture and may include a transmitter, receiver or pairof both. For example, all or part of the functionality performed by theindividual modules, may be performed by one or more of these modules.Further, the functionality described herein may be performed at varioustimes and in relation to various events, internal or external to themodules or components. Also, the information sent between variousmodules can be sent between the modules via at least one of: a datanetwork, the Internet, a voice network, an Internet Protocol network, awireless device, a wired device and/or via plurality of protocols. Also,the messages sent or received by any of the modules may be sent orreceived directly and/or via one or more of the other modules.

It will be readily understood that the components of the application, asgenerally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may bearranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations.Thus, the detailed description of the embodiments is not intended tolimit the scope of the application as claimed, but is merelyrepresentative of selected embodiments of the application.

One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that theapplication as discussed above may be practiced with steps in adifferent order, and/or with hardware elements in configurations thatare different than those which are disclosed. Therefore, although theapplication has been described based upon these preferred embodiments,it would be apparent to those of skill in the art that certainmodifications, variations, and alternative constructions would beapparent, while remaining within the spirit and scope of theapplication. In order to determine the metes and bounds of theapplication, therefore, reference should be made to the appended claims.

While preferred embodiments of the present application have beendescribed, it is to be understood that the embodiments described areillustrative only and the scope of the application is to be definedsolely by the appended claims when considered with a full range ofequivalents and modifications thereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a camera housing; acamera disposed inside the camera housing; a switch coupled to thecamera, and configured to control a power on and a power off status ofthe camera; wherein a sensed light condition triggers the switch toperform a power on to the camera and an opposite sensed light conditiontriggers the switch to perform a power off to the camera; a processorcommunicatively connected to a microphone; a movable shutter includedwithin the camera housing; and a knob which extends beyond a surfacearea of the camera housing to control movement of the movable shutteralong a shutter track disposed adjacent the camera; wherein the movableshutter movement enables an optical sensor to signal the processor toactivate the microphone when the movable shutter is slid open and todeactivate the microphone when the movable shutter is slid closed. 2.The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a protective shielddisposed over the camera and the movable shutter extending along amajority of a length of the camera housing.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein the protective shield comprises at least one of glass andplastic.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the knob is accessible viaan open slot in a top portion of the camera housing.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a shutter track disposed adjacent the camerainside the camera housing.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a power source communicatively connected to the camera andconfigured to power the camera.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein theswitch is coupled to the power source.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6,wherein a microphone is coupled to the power source.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising an auxiliary sensor in communication withthe switch.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a movableshutter included within the camera housing and comprising an openportion and a closed portion.
 11. An apparatus, comprising: a camerahousing; a camera disposed inside the camera housing; a movable shutterdisposed in front of the camera; a motor attached to the movable shutterand configured to control movement of the movable shutter via anactuation arm affixed to the motor and the movable shutter, wherein themovable shutter is movable via a shutter track disposed inside thecamera housing; an optical sensor disposed on the movable shutter track;a microphone disposed inside the camera housing and communicativelyconnected to the switch, wherein the movable shutter movement enablesthe optical sensor to signal a processor to activate the microphone whenthe movable shutter is slid open and to deactivate the microphone whenthe movable shutter is slid closed.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11,further comprising an audio sensor configured to sense a condition. 13.The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a protective shielddisposed over the camera and the movable shutter extending along amajority of a length of the camera housing.
 14. The apparatus of claim13, wherein the protective shield comprises at least one of glass andplastic.
 15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processor isconfigured to process a voice control algorithm, the audio sensor isconfigured to sense an audible voice command, and the processor isfurther configured to process the audible voice command and open themovable shutter.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processor isconfigured to process a voice control algorithm, the audio sensor isconfigured to sense an audible voice command, and the processor isfurther configured to process the audible voice command and close themovable shutter.
 17. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising aswitch coupled to a power supply and the camera.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 17, wherein the switch is configured to perform a power on to thecamera.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the switch is configuredto perform a power off to the camera.
 20. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein the shutter track is disposed adjacent the camera.